Who is Lavkesh Bajaj?
Lavkesh Bajaj is the owner of Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast (B&B) establishment in Delhi's Malviya Nagar, where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals. He was arrested by Delhi Police hours after the tragedy and is a key figure in the investigation into alleged safety and licensing violations at the property. According to police, Bajaj admitted that he drove past the burning five-storey building “out of fear” instead of stopping to assist guests trapped inside. He has claimed that the day-to-day operations were managed by Jai Mishra, who remains under scrutiny.
Arrest and Interrogation
During interrogation, Bajaj reportedly confessed that he left the area after the fire broke out and did not participate in rescue efforts. Police said Bajaj did not return home after the incident; instead, he spent several hours moving around different locations before being detained. He is expected to be produced before a Delhi court on Thursday afternoon, with police likely to seek a five-day remand for further interrogation. Investigators are now verifying claims made during his questioning.
Alleged Violations of B&B Rules
Bajaj told police that he had obtained a licence under Delhi's Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B) scheme, which permits a maximum of six rooms for guests. However, preliminary investigations suggest that Flourish Stay was operating around 25 rooms, including accommodation in the basement. While Bajaj is the sole owner, he claimed that the day-to-day management had been handed over to Jai Mishra, who allegedly held the operational licences. Police are also searching for Mishra, who remains untraceable.
Safety Lapses
The Bed-and-Breakfast scheme, launched under the Incredible India B&B framework in 2007, was intended to promote safe and affordable accommodation in residential neighbourhoods. The guidelines stipulate:
- A maximum of six double-bed rooms per property
- Mandatory residence of the owner on the premises
- Strictly residential use of the property
- Compliance with fire safety, ventilation and infrastructure norms
Investigators are examining whether Flourish Stay complied with these requirements. Police said the building had only one entry and exit point, severely hampering evacuation efforts. Windows were reportedly sealed, while the main entrance was sensor-operated, creating additional obstacles during the emergency.
The Fire Tragedy
The fire broke out around 8:30 am in the basement of the B&B before rapidly spreading to upper floors. Most guests were asleep when the blaze erupted. A total of 17 fire tenders were pressed into service to control the fire. At least 58 people were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed that 21 people were declared dead, including 12 foreign nationals.
Gurugram Family Among Victims
Among those killed were eight members of a family from Gurugram. Vivek Agarwal, a chartered accountant from Sector 46, Gurugram, had travelled to Delhi to visit his 80-year-old father, Radhe Shyam Agarwal, who is undergoing treatment at Max Hospital. His wife Tarjani Agarwal, daughters Jivisha and Varya, and four other relatives accompanied him. The family had booked two rooms at Flourish Stay and was having breakfast when the fire broke out. Eight members of the family lost their lives, with the sole survivor being Vivek's father, who remains hospitalised.
